During pregnancy, a woman is highly susceptible to new sensations, feelings and fears. To calm the expectant mother, you need to learn how to listen to the fetal heartbeat at home. Then the woman at any time will be able to make sure that everything is fine with the child.
Than listening to the fetal heartbeat
Listening to the baby's heart rate is possible using the following technique:
- Ultrasonic apparatus.
- Obstetric stethoscope.
- Fetal doppler.
- Phonendoscope.
How long can you listen to the heartbeat
Most pregnant women are interested in how long the heartbeat can be heard. If an ultrasound machine of the latest generation is used for this, then you can see and hear the contractions of a small and not yet developed heart in the sixth obstetric week of pregnancy. But such early diagnosis is necessary only in the following cases:
- Pregnancy did not occur naturally, but with the help of artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.
- In the woman's anamnesis, there was a frozen pregnancy.
- The threat of termination of pregnancy.
In other cases, it is not necessary to do an ultrasound scan at such an early date.
If the doctor who is taking care of the patient believes that the pregnancy is proceeding normally, then the first ultrasound scan, where it will be possible to hear how the child's heart beats, is prescribed for a period of 12-14 weeks.
From about 18-20 weeks, at each appointment with a gynecologist-reproductologist, a study of the fetal heart rate will be carried out. Thus, the doctor will be able to monitor the condition of the baby.
How to listen to a fetal heartbeat at home
Parents-to-be can buy a pocket version of the Doppler apparatus at a pharmacy on free sale. When using it, you can hear how a small heart beats already from 12-14 weeks. But it is worth noting that such listening is possible thanks to ultrasonic waves that can disturb the baby. It is worth listening to contractions for 1-2 minutes and no more. Using the Doppler apparatus is very simple and consists of just a few steps:
- It is necessary to apply a special gel to the sensor of the device.
- Apply it to the belly of a pregnant woman.
- Having fixed the handle of the apparatus, it is necessary to smoothly and very slowly drive over the abdomen.
- The device itself will feel the heartbeat, and will display the indicator.
With the help of an obstetric stethoscope, a woman on her own will not be able to hear how her child's heart beats. Only a partner can do this after the 30th week of pregnancy. It is also necessary to adapt and find the point that will be closest to the heart. This method is not considered good at home, as a parent may mistake the sounds of a pregnant woman's intestines for a heartbeat.
Some people think that it is possible to listen to the heartbeat with a phonendoscope. But it is extremely difficult for a non-specialist to do this. Unlike a stethoscope, a phonendoscope can detect not only low tones (work of the heart or intestines), but also high tones (work of the lungs and blood vessels). As a result, it becomes extremely difficult to determine what exactly is heard through the phonendoscope.
